# NTSB CHI84IA196: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40, N150US, Minneapolis, MN, May 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1984, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.88031, -93.200149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8803&lon=-93.2001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 239 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84IA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84IA196

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - smoke
  - electrical system,electric wiring - overtemperature

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB FROM FL330 TO FL370 THE 1ST OFFICER SAW SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE PANEL UNDER HIS GLARE SHIELD. COCKPIT LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STOPPED. FLT RETURNED TO MINNEAPOLIS AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE FIRE WAS IN A WIRE BUNDLE LOCATED BTW CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FLORESCENT LIGHT UNDERNEATH THE 1ST OFFICER'S GLARE SHIELD. THE WIRE BUNDLE (REINSTALLED 4 DAYS BEFORE) WAS STRETCHED TIGHTLY ACROSS THE LEFT END OF THE FLORESCENT LIGHT AND WAS FORCED TO TURN AN ABRUPT ANGLE ACROSS A SHARP METAL EDGE ON THE LIGHT. INSULATION AND FABRIC SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRES WAS BURNED LEAVING THE WIRES EXPOSED. TESTING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS DID NOT DETERMINE WHY THEY FAILED TO OPEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N150US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N150US-2001-12-14), registration cancelled 2001-12-14, S/N 46759, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-10-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-10-40) (registry code 3023508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt9d-3a) (registry code 52050, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N-150US
- Engines: P&W JT9D-20 4350 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Northwest Orient Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,966 total, 498 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 160 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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